Forming lasting relationships: The Student Ambassadors at Berea College

For prospective students nervous about leaving home and entering the unfamiliar atmosphere of higher education—or those still not sure if Berea is right for them—a personal connection with a current student can make all the difference. That’s where Berea’s Student Ambassadors come in—an important job on campus. As current students, the Ambassadors speak from experience when they tell prospectives and their families about daily life on campus.

Denessa McPherson, Berea’s assistant director of Admissions, put it this way: “Today’s prospective students are savvy consumers. They want to hear from peers because they trust the raw opinion from others like them before blindly listening to sales pitches.”

Student Ambassadors give campus tours, answer questions, and develop lasting relationships. This past year, the Ambassador team led 460 campus visits—each one including up to eight families or 40 high school students. Student Ambassadors are a source of personal connection and information during what can be an exciting but nerve-wracking time for students and their families. Because Berea’s Ambassadors know and love the College, they appreciate the chance to share their experiences with others.

Bernice ’25 has been working as a Student Ambassador for three years. “I’m very grateful for the opportunities Berea provides for me,” Bernice said, “I think that helps me connect with students and help them understand why Berea might be the perfect place for them.” One of Bernice’s favorite parts of being a Student Ambassador is the opportunity to get acquainted with newly-admitted students and offer support as they begin their Berea journey. “I get to make connections with students even before they get here,” she said. “They know they can count on me if they need mentorship or someone to talk to.”

Those connections are exactly what make Student Ambassadors so important, said McPherson. When an Ambassador shares their Berea experience, it helps prospective students imagine what they might do and who they might become during their college years.

Julian ’25 has spent the last three years working as a Student Ambassador—in fact, his work with Admissions began when he was a prospective student touring campus. “Berea was the first college that I ever toured when I was a senior in high school. The supervisor over the Ambassador team just really liked me and my family,” Julian said. “She really liked the energy that we brought to the tour. So she told me she would try to reserve a spot for me on the Ambassador team when I came to Berea.”

At first, Julian didn’t think she was serious—he assumed she was just hoping to convince him to come to Berea. But when he arrived on campus, he had a welcome surprise! “Lo and behold, I actually got the labor position my freshman year,” said Julian. Like Bernice, Julian’s favorite part of his Ambassador work is the chance to connect with new and prospective students experiencing Berea for the first time. “Meeting all these different families and all these different students,” Julian said, “and sometimes having the students who went on tours end up at the school, having that little circle moment was just unlike anything. It was great.”

Students and parents visiting campus both have a lot of questions about Berea. “The question students ask the most is: ‘What is there to do in Berea?’” Julian said. Parents, understandably, often have more practical questions: “The biggest question from parents is about finances and if Berea really is tuition-free,” he said. “The next most common question is about residence life, and what they can bring for their student to have in their room.” As McPherson explained, Ambassadors’ firsthand knowledge of life’s rhythm on campus, and the personal experience they draw on to answer questions like these, make a big difference for visitors considering Berea College.

Julian and Bernice are making a difference. Bernice thinks the most crucial part of being a successful Student Ambassador is exercising empathy and flexibility. “You have to put yourself in visitors’ shoes, understand their perspective, and tailor the experience to meet their needs,” she explained. Just as every Berean is unique, so is every future Berean. To help these students envision themselves learning, working, and thriving on Berea’s campus, Student Ambassadors need to show them how Berea can provide what they need. “We try to emphasize that Berea actually cares about you,” Bernice said. “It’s a small school but very diverse, with people from all over the world. You’re not just a number; your professors actually care.” Providing information and helping students imagine all the possibilities Berea can help create—that’s what being a Student Ambassador is all about.